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Robert Longhurst is a consultant optometrist with a registered independent prescribing specialty and higher qualifications in glaucoma. He was a finalist for the Optometrist of the Year Award in the Optician Awards 2021.

A former dispensing optician, he has passed both the qualifying exams set by the Association of British Dispensing Opticians and the College of Optometrists' Scheme for Registration, leading to the FBDO and MCOptom qualifications, respectively. He is registered with the GOC under number 01-28534 and is on the National Performers List in respect of the NHS General Ophthalmic Service.

Robert has completed extensive post-graduate training and has passed masters level examinations in glaucoma, advanced visual science, ocular nutrition, investigative ophthalmic science, ocular therapeutics, prescribing for disorders of the eye, retinal and macular disorders, and refractive surgery at Aston University, where he is currently a doctoral candidate.

In June 2019, he passed the Therapeutics Common Final Assessment and gained his Diploma in Therapeutics (Independent Prescribing) from the College of Optometrists. The following month, he gained his Professional Certificate in Glaucoma and in March 2021, his Professional Higher Certificate in Glaucoma.

He is a consultant optometrist at 25 Harley Street, which is part of Phoenix Hospital Group, one of the country's most reputable private healthcare providers. Former patients of Mr Longhurst have included several well-known celebrities. He also works for an NHS contractor in ophthalmology clinics in Kent and Worcestershire, seeing mostly glaucoma patients and performing a number of minor operations.

Prior to this, he worked in glaucoma and medical retina clinics at George Eliot Hospital, where he was offered a Head of Service role, and saw eye casualty patients at Royal Berkshire Hospital, where he now has an honorary consultant appointment.

Robert has been involved in teaching and research since his first peer-reviewed paper was published in May 2015 and has given several lectures on dyslexia and the spontaneous Pulfrich effect, including an invited lecture at Oxford University.

In addition to his clinical and academic work, Mr Longhurst provides medicolegal services and has been trusted as an expert witness in fitness to practice hearings for both the Association of Optometrists and the Association of British Dispensing Opticians.

Robert is a Freeman of the City of London and was admitted as a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers in April 2017.